Happy Holidays Everyone!
In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I decided to take a week off from blogging and will return Monday, January 2.
Enjoy your time with your loved ones, which is what I'll be doing!
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Friday, December 23, 2016
Movie Reviews: “La La Land,” “Nocturnal Animals” and “Passengers”
Rated PG-13
A jazz pianist
and aspiring actress fall in love and their careers take off as a result.
La La Land is like a musical from the 1940’s, but
even better due to current technology (better sound, cinematography, etc). The
scenery is beautiful, the story is sweet and Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are
talented and captivating. I highly recommend seeing La La Land.
Nocturnal Animals
Rated R
A wealthy galley
owner receives a manuscript from her ex-husband that causes her to examine her
past.
Nocturnal Animals is fascinating, mesmerizing and creepy.
It’s also a bit confusing since the viewer doesn’t know if scenes are from the
book or from the main character’s past. Visually stunning, Nocturnal Animals is a must-see film.
Passengers
Rated PG-13
On a 120-year
long journey to another planet, Jim is awoken from hypersleep 90 years too
early and is forced to figure out how to solve this dilemma.
Although the
movie is very different from what the preview leads one to believe, we loved Passengers. I don’t want to say anything
more about it because it would spoil the movie.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Book Review: “Three Sisters, Three Queens”
Three Sisters, Three Queens
Philippa Gregory
Three Sisters, Three
Queens is the story of King Henry VIII’s sisters, Margaret and Mary and his
first wife Katherine of Aragon.
Told from Margaret’s viewpoint, a preteen when she met the older, more
sophisticated Katherine, Margaret envied, yet emulated Katherine. A marriage
between Katherine and Arthur Tudor, Henry’s older brother, made the women
sisters, but competition and rivalry ensued. All three women lived difficult
lives, and while they loved each other, they refused to support one another.
I’m a Philippa Gregory fan, have read many of her novels and
am never disappointed. While I’m entertained, I’m also acquiring knowledge
about English history. If you’re interested in a different perspective on King
Henry VIII, learning more about the women in his life or seeing what royal life
was like in the 16th century, Three
Sisters, Three Queens is the book for you!
Monday, December 19, 2016
Home: Philips Hue Lighting System
Form more information on this product, click here |
Plug the hub into your home wireless router, install the light bulbs and download the app to activate the system. It can be upgraded to include up to 50 bulbs and/or colored bulbs |
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the hue app |
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Using the app is pretty straightforward |
One of the benefits
of being married to someone who works in IT (Information Technology) is that
Kevin keeps up on the latest technology and often brings it into our lives. His
latest gadget is the Philips Hue Lighting System. It’s an LED wireless lighting
system that includes a hub, two light bulbs and an app that allows us to
control the system using a smart phone. For those not into technology, it means
we can control those two lights even if we’re not home.
To be honest, I
didn’t think the lighting system was something we needed, but appreciate it now
that we have it. It’s nice to be able to turn on the lights for the dog when we’re
out later than expected, to have lights on at varying times when we’re out of
town or to come into a lighted house. The Philips Hue Lighting System is a gem!
Friday, December 16, 2016
Style: Biker Elements
Truth and Pride jacket (old), Soft Joie top, AG jeans (similar), Rebecca Minkoff boots, Illesteva sunglasses (similar), 3.1 Phillip Lim handbag (similar) |
On our son’s recommendation, Kevin and I just started binge
watching Sons of Anarchy, the
2008-2014 television series about a biker gang living in Central California.
Though I don’t aspire to be in a motorcycle gang, I have to admit I like
elements of biker style-especially the leather jackets and boots.
When I saw these studded biker boots, I couldn’t resist
buying them. They are similar to a pair by Givenchy but at a much lower price
point. Paired with grey jeans, a leather jacket and a traditionally cut, snake
print shirt, this outfit is edgy, but doesn’t make me look like a Sons of Anarchy extra!
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Cooking and Entertaining: Lauren Conrad's Eggnog Cookies
Lauren Conrad's Eggnog Cookies |
Aside from alcoholic beverages, one of my “rules” is that I
don’t drink calories. I drink black coffee and unsweetened tea, and don’t consume
juice, soda, milk, etc. One of my few exceptions is buying eggnog during the
holiday season and adding it to my coffee. All I can say is that eggnog is
amazing.
So when I saw Lauren Conrad’s recipe for eggnog cookies, I knew
I had to try them. These cookies are similar to sugar cookies, but are richer
and have a hint of nutmeg. The only thing that could make these cookies better
is eating them with an eggnog latte!
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the ingredients |
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Whisk together the dry ingredients |
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Though the recipe didn't say to, I combined the egg yolks, eggnog and vanilla before adding it to the butter/sugar mixture |
Sprinkle the cookies with (freshly grated) nutmeg immediately after they come out of the oven |
Click here for the recipe
Monday, December 12, 2016
Four Star Finds: Holiday Seasonal Favorites 2016
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my 2016 holiday favorites! |
When I lived in temperate California, I didn’t really
understand seasonal foods. Sure, we ate more salads in summer and soups and
stews in winter, but I didn’t really comprehend the appeal of pumpkin spiced
items in autumn, lemon-flavored items in spring and especially holiday treats.
In my mind, treats are appropriate year round.
Now that we live in an area with true seasons, eating
heartier foods with stronger flavors makes sense during cold weather periods.
Spicier foods seem to warm and comfort the soul on frigid days and nights!
The two items I recently discovered are from Trader
Joe’s-One is their Chocolate Mint Flavored Black Tea. Though I like their Candy
Cane Green Tea (click here to view the post), I prefer black tea, so this is my
new go-to. Pistachio Pomegranate Crisps are my other favorite. They’re sweet
and savory and go perfectly with a mild cheese. Be sure to try these items
before they’re gone!
Friday, December 9, 2016
Travel: Madrid, Spain
In October, Kevin and I went to Spain for vacation. It was
my first time to this amazing, beautiful country and Kevin’s second. Until I
traveled there, I thought Great Britain, Italy and France were the go-to places
for Europe and had no idea how much I would love Spain. It’s full of culture,
history and friendly people, has outstanding food and weather and is very
affordable compared to the other three countries. I highly recommend visiting Spain!
Our trip began and ended in Madrid, which, to me, was a
great place to begin because it eased us into Spanish culture. Many of the
people who live or work in Madrid speak English, and we got by because some of
my high school Spanish and Spanish I picked up by living in California returned
to me.
Since Madrid is the Spanish capital, it has many
attractions, which include the Museo del Prado (Spanish National Museum), Museo
Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (Spain’s national modern art museum),
Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid), and Real Jardin Botanico (Royal Botanic
Gardens). I’ve included some of our highlights below:
Kevin outside the Palacio Real-it was beyond beautiful inside |
I had to take a picture with this Van Gogh at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza |
peppers at the Jardin Botanico |
I loved the tapas |
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Spanish ham for sale at the Mercado de San Miguel, a giant food market with fresh and prepared foods |
We had churros and hot chocolate at Chocolateria San Gines-both were to-die-for |
A photograph taken outside the Reina Sofia. Again, indoor photography was not allowed. This world-class museum is a must-do |
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Movie Reviews: “Arrival,” “Dr. Strange,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” & “Manchester by the Sea”
Arrival
Rated PG-13
A linguistics professor is part of an elite team that interacts
with aliens after 12 spaceships land on Earth in different locations.
I liked Arrival, thought
it showed true human nature and liked its message. At the beginning, it was a
bit confusing because the story is told nonsequentially, but this is a film
well worth watching!
Dr. Strange
Rated PG-13
After a horrific car accident, Dr. Stephen Strange is unable
to return to work as a neurosurgeon. He seeks a healer (The Ancient One) in
Nepal who teaches him the mystic arts, and Strange finds himself in a battle
against evil forces.
Seeing Dr. Strange
is a great break from reality. It has fantastic special effects, is witty, and
is just plain fun!
Fantastic Beasts and
Where to Find Them
Rated PG-13
Based on the J.K. Rowling book (which I haven’t read), Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
chronicles Newt Scamander’s New York adventures in the 1930s.
Like the Harry Potter
series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to
Find Them documents the adventures of witches and wizards who must also
exist in a “Muggle” world. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the ending, I thought
this movie moved a bit slowly at the beginning to warrant a higher rating. If
you’re a Harry Potter fan, though,
this is the movie for you!
Manchester by the Sea
Rated R
After the death of his brother, Lee returns to his hometown
of Manchester-by-the-Sea to become his 16 year-old nephew’s guardian. While
there, he must deal with the circumstances that forced him to leave his family
and forge a life in Boston.
SPOILER ALERT: Manchester by the Sea is an excellent film,
the type of film that will be honored during awards season, but it’s a very
heavy, depressing film.
Monday, December 5, 2016
Book Review: “Modern Romance”
Modern Romance
Aziz Ansari
Though it seems an unlikely pairing, comedian Aziz Ansari
teamed up with a sociologist to explore today’s dating world. Unlike their
grandparents (who dated someone who lived nearby. and if both parties seemed
like decent people, quickly married, and started a family), today’s young
people are seeking their soul mates, thus marrying much later in life. To
complicate the matter, technology has given singles many more options. Will
young people find their hearts’ desires or are thy doomed to a life of serial
dating?
I read Modern Romance
at the suggestion of my son, who I later found out hadn’t read it when he
recommended it to me. Had I known, I probably wouldn’t have given it a chance.
I’m glad I didn’t know, because this book is fascinating. It’s interesting to
me to see how different generations and people in different countries approach
dating, love and marriage. While Modern
Romance is basically a sociology book, it’s also highly entertaining and
funny.
BTW-At my suggestion, my son read Modern Romance, loved it and confirmed much of what Ansari asserts
dating is like!
Friday, December 2, 2016
Home: Holiday Decorations 2016
Rather than being color-coordinated with a theme, our Christmas tree is a hodgepodge of ornaments-from my childhood, vacations, purchases, Sean's craft projects, gifts and some from my grandma. |
I have mixed
feelings about decorating our home for Christmas. On one hand, I like our
collection of decorations and think they make our home look festive, but I also
think this particular home looks better with fewer accessories. My compromise
has been to display only some of our decorations, those that we are very fond
of or that have special meaning to us. I know that I’ll be ready to take down the
decorations on December 26th, but I’m pretty happy with the way our
home looks now!
the throw pillow and holiday coasters add a warm touch to the living room |
the mantle is a bit over-the-top, but in a good way |
two of Sean's art projects from when he was young |
a little scarf on this ceramic fox makes it look festive |
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Style: An Unexpected Sweater
Splendid sweater, Madewell pants (old), Ray-Ban sunglasses (similar), Relic necklace (old), Loeffler Randall handbag (different color), Vince Camuto booties |
Sometimes I find great clothing in the most unexpected
places. While I was shopping in the Splendid store, I saw a fringe sweater with
a lace bottom on a mannequin and said to the salesperson, “It’s too bad that
sweater doesn’t come in adult sizes.” She replied, “You might be surprised. We have
quite a few adults who buy it for themselves.” She provided the impetus to try
it on, and surprisingly, it fit. It’s a fabulous sweater-cute, comfortable and
very reasonably priced.
Shown here with slim fitting cargo pants, toeless boots, an
antique necklace and Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses, this outfit is the right
mix of edgy and feminine. It’s casual, yet stylish and perfect for a busy day
in the city!
Monday, November 28, 2016
Cooking and Entertaining: Sarah's Salsa
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Sarah's Salsa is so delicious |
Moving to Boston has made it difficult to eat one of my
favorite comfort foods, chips and salsa. Though Boston has excellent food, the salsas
served here aren’t to my taste because they tend to be a bit sweet. I have a
salsa recipe, but it’s more of a pico de gallo (chunky) salsa, and I wanted a
salsa more like what I would get at a Mexican restaurant.
The solution was to learn to make my own restaurant-style salsa.
My cousin’s fiancĂ©e shared her recipe, which is delicious and easy to prepare.
Now I can have a taste of home whenever I’d like!
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the ingredients |
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When chopping the chilies, be sure to use gloves |
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I add only half of the chilies initially, taste the salsa and add more chilies if needed |
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Yum! |
Sarah’s Salsa
2 tomatoes,
diced
10
oz. Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
1 onion,
diced
1
bunch cilantro,
leaves only
2 jalapeno
chilies, diced with seeds and membranes removed
1 habanero
chili, diced with seeds and membranes removed
1 serrano
chili, diced with seeds and membranes removed
1/2 lemon,
juiced
1
clove garlic,
peeled and minced
1
tsp. lemon
pepper
1
tsp. salt
1/2
tsp. pepper
Combine all
ingredients in a blender and pulse until chunky. Adjust salt, pepper, lemon pepper and lemon juice to taste.
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